SE3 Labs: Munich-based AI startup working on Spatial AI
When three experts from the Technical University of Munich launch a startup to shape the future of Artificial Intelligence. With their Spatial AI, they are laying the foundation for a new generation of intelligent systems and proving that groundbreaking innovation doesn’t have to come from Silicon Valley—it can also come from Garching near Munich.
What does SE3 Labs do?
That’s how the story of SE3 Labs began – a promising AI startup from Garching near Munich.
Their vision: building a Spatial AI that can answer any complex question about 3D data – just like a human analyst would.
By combining cutting-edge 3D computer vision with large language models (LLMs), the team is creating a whole new level of AI-powered analysis.
Use cases range from defense to smart infrastructure and industrial applications – wherever spatially complex and decision-critical data needs to be understood.
How the SE3 Labs team met
It all started at a climbing gym: Professor Daniel Cremers – now also a co-founder – met Lukas Köstler there. “The first thing I learned was that Lukas is an excellent climber. That’s when I thought: he’d make a perfect co-founder,” Daniel says with a wink.
What began as a chance encounter quickly turned into a startup success story. Today, the three founders – Lukas Köstler (CEO), Simon Klenk (CTO), and Prof. Daniel Cremers (CSO) – form a well-coordinated team with one shared vision: to redefine the boundaries of AI in 3D space.
Why SE3 Labs is a startup to watch
➡️ Technical excellence
Founders Lukas Köstler and Simon Klenk bring years of experience and deep expertise in AI and 3D vision. This rare combination makes SE3 Labs one of the most exciting tech teams in Munich’s startup scene.
➡️ Scientific depth
With Prof. Daniel Cremers – a globally recognized expert in computer vision at TUM – SE3 Labs has a strong scientific backbone. He’s no stranger to the gate: as a co-founder of former gate-startup Artisense, he now returns with a new venture.
➡️ Strong network
The founding team is joined by Christoph Bonik, known from his time as COO at Artisense, and Ivana Dobrijevic, who’s already made her mark in the Munich startup ecosystem through her work with START Munich.
➡️ Early recognition
Recent wins include the 18th Start?Zuschuss! competition and the 2024 Tech Award from WLOUNGE – clear signs that SE3 Labs is on the right track.
SE3 Labs headquarters
The Garching campus is an ideal base for AI startups – and SE3 Labs is a prime example. The team made the most of their time at the gate Garching, growing from eight to over twenty team members in just a short period.
Today, SE3 Labs is part of the gate alumni network, by the end of the year 2025, the team moved on from the startup center.
Munich and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) are incredible startup hubs. The support is outstanding. There are so many structures in place to help founders get started. We’re truly grateful – both to TUM and, of course, to the gate Garching,” says Daniel.
Why founding your tech startup on a research campus will take you further: Why Startups Succeed at the Garching Science Campus
The Idea Behind the Startup
The idea for SE3 Labs was born when Lukas was working in the Autopilot team at Tesla in the US.
“That was an exciting time,” he recalls. “But I knew I wanted to return to Germany to build something of my own.”
Together with Simon and Daniel, the project quickly gained momentum.
“We had a video call – and it was instantly clear: this is it,” says Daniel.
What Makes This Team Special
“One thing we’ve learned is how crucial trust within the team is,” says Simon. “There were times when we worked from Friday evening to Monday morning to solve tough problems – and we made it. That’s what brought us closer together.”
“We’ve built a fantastic team of highly skilled engineers,” Simon adds. “It’s just fun to work with such talented people and see our technology making real impact.”
Do you also want to become part of the gate? Do you have a vision you want to realize? Then now is the right time: Apply as a startup at the gate Garching.
Frequently Asked Questions about SE3 Labs
Where was SE3 Labs founded?
SE3 Labs was founded by Lukas Köstler (CEO), Simon Klenk (CTO), and Prof. Daniel Cremers (CSO) at the research campus in Garching near Munich – and grew within the startup center the gate Garching.
What does SE3 Labs develop?
The startup is building Spatial AI – a technology that understands 3D data like a human analyst.
When was SE3 Labs founded?
SE3 Labs was founded in 2023.